It’s a full night reality show pileup on CBS with the 90 minute premieres of both “Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.) and “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.) together on the same night for maybe the first time ever (“Race” moves back to its Friday night slot it inaugurated in the fall later this week).
The ploy on the former, returning for its 30th season, is to divide the 18 contestants between white collar, blue collar and “no collar,” which means those with more freewheeling, or creative lifestyles. At least there’s no celebrities involved or other former members, making this a fresher start than most.
There is a twist on the “Race,” though, as it includes 11 dating couples, half of whom are just meeting for the first time (which is pretty much the plot of another reality competition). This means everybody is younger, and there will be “date rewards” along the race as well as more camera time on the off-race days in the pitstop. This one does have a celebrity contestant, though — Jordan Knight of New Kids on the Block, competing with his boyfriend Harley Rodriguez. There are also two Olympians — speed skater Aly Dudek and bobsledder Steven Langton.
Speaking of couples, the new series “Kosher Soul” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.) follows the relationship of stylist Mirmam Sternoff, a Jew, with comedian O’Neal McKnight, a black Christian, as they prepare for their wedding. Before that, though, he’ll convert to Judaism and she samples his Southern ways.
The Top 12 males sing on “American Idol” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
“Dinner at Tiffani’s” (Cooking, 10 p.m.) is a new series in which actress Tiffani Thiessen invites people over and serves food. Tonight, it’s game night finger food for Ross Mathews, Jillian Barberie and Tim Meadows.
Terrence Howard, who, judging from his appearance at the Oscars, is just as emotional off the set as he is on, gathers the family to record a legacy album to save the company on “Empire” (Fox, 9 p.m.), and even Cookie is invited.
Robert Vaughn and Marcia Cross guest star on a new “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.). It’s a “Will & Grace” reunion when Eric McCormack visits Debra Messing on “The Mysteries of Laura” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
Charlie Sheen wouldn’t come on the season finale of “Two and a Half Men” last week, but he guest stars on an episode of “The Goldbergs” (ABC, 8:30 p.m.), reprising his role from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” in an episode-long tribute to that 80s film.
They try something new on “Modern Family” (ABC, 9 p.m.) — an entire episode shot on camera phones. They might pull it off.
Anthony Anderson tries to teach his son trash-talking on a new “blackish” (ABC, 9:30 p.m.).
In another crossover ploy with “Chicago Fire” on “Chicago PD” (NBC, 10 p.m.), with Christian Stolte’s character pops up.
Brick turns 13 on “The Middle” (ABC, 8 p.m.) and everybody forgets (because he doesn’t look 13!).
With Max on hiatus to shoot a Zac Efron movie, it’s up to Nev to host the fourth season of “Catfish: The TV Show” (MTV, 10 p.m.) with a series of guest hosts. But are those guest hosts who they really say they were online? And was that really Zac Efron on Facebook, luring Max?
Jaime is granted citizenship on “Broad City” (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.) but is not made an honorary broad.
When his dad is accused of murder, Mac investigates to clear his name on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (FXX, 10 p.m.).
Rayna tells on Jeff on “Nashville” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
Philip is having woman trouble on “The Americans” (FX, 10 p.m.).
Engineers try to figure out how Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia has remained standing for more than 1,400 years. on “Nova” (PBS, 9 p.m.).
Fewer than 8.000 Sumatran orangutans exist in the world because of deforestation. Ecologists on a new episode of “Nature” (PBS, 8 p.m.) try to see how to reverse the process.
For the third season start of “Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce” (Fuse, 11 p.m.), the New Orleans rapper prepares for a big tour.
The human race’s relationship with water is examined on “Earth: A New Wild” (PBS, 10 p.m.), check local listings).
Twenty-nine years before “50 Shades of Grey” there was “9 1/2 Weeks” (Sundance, 7:30 p.m.). And before
The 31 Days of Oscars on Turner Classic Movies hit the 80s with “Arthur” (8 p.m.), “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (9:45 p.m.), “Out of Africa” (midnight), “Fame” (2:45 a.m.) and “Gloria” (5 a.m.).
Men’s college hoops include VCU at Richmond (ESPN2, 7 p.m.), Connecticut at East Carolina (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), UCF at Cincinnati (CBS Sports, 7:30 p.m.), Tulane at Tulsa (ESPNews, 8 p.m.), Duke at Virginia Tech (ESPN2, 9 p.m.), Baylor at Iowa State (ESPNU, 9 p.m.), Fresno State at Wyoming (CBS Sports, 9:35 p.m.), Washington at UCLA (ESPN2, 11 p.m.) and Oregon at California (ESPNU, 11 p.m.).
NBA action includes Clippers at Houston (ESPN, 8 p.m.) and San Antonio at Portland (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.).
In hockey, it’s Pittsburgh at Washington (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Josh Duhamel, Lisa Rinna, Chris Byrne. The View: Gabrielle Union, Stacy London & Samantha Ponder. The Talk: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Tyler Oakley, Brandy Clark, Susan Feniger. Ellen DeGeneres: Julie Bowen, Fifth Harmony. Wendy Williams: Piers Morgan, Nicole Lapin. Meredith Vieira: Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Queen Latifah: Martin Lawrence, Susan Feniger.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Juliana Margulies, Eric Ripert, Glass Animals. Jimmy Fallon: Ice-T, Andrew Rannells, Lupe Fiasco. Jimmy Kimmel: Will Smith, Elizabeth Henstridge, Sam Hunt. Seth Meyers: Christina Aguilera, Colin Quinn, Kurt Braunohler. Late Late Show: Billy Bob Thornton, Sarah Hyland, Garfunkel & Oates, Kunal Nayyar. Carson Daly: Evan Peters, the Re-Licked Project, Sierra Katow. Tavis Smiley: Mike Epps, Estelle. Jon Stewart: Conan O’Brien. Conan O’Brien: Edward Norton, Melissa Rauch, Andrew Santino.